Receiver plate-coupler plate assembly

Abstract

A receiver plate-coupler plate assembly for attaching an implement to a machine. The assembly includes a receiver plate member comprising a vertical plate section with at least three perimeter walls extending in a common direction to form a downward facing cavity there between. The vertical plate member attaches to a tool on a plate section surface opposite the perimeter walls. A coupler plate member comprises a vertical plate section positioned against the receiver plate member within the downwardly facing cavity thereof. At least one locking assembly on the coupler plate member reversibly engages the receiver plate member to maintain the coupler plate member within the downward facing cavity thereof. At least one connector assembly secured to the coupler plate member opposite the receiver plate member connects the receiver plate-coupler plate assembly to a machine.

I claim: 
     
       1. A receiver plate-coupler plate assembly adapted for attaching an implement to a machine comprising:
 a receiver plate member comprising a vertical plate section with at least three perimeter walls extending in a common direction to form a downward facing cavity there between, the perimeter walls including a pair of opposed apertures therein, the vertical plate section adapted for attachment to a tool on a plate section surface opposite the perimeter walls; 
 a coupler plate member comprising a vertical plate section positioned against the receiver plate member within the downwardly facing cavity thereof, the vertical plate section having at least three perimeter walls extending in a common direction opposite the receiver plate member; 
 at least one locking assembly reversibly maintaining the coupler plate member within the downward facing cavity of the receiver plate member; and 
 a connector assembly secured to the at least three perimeter walls of the coupler plate member opposite the receiver plate member, the connector assembly adapted for connecting the receiver plate-coupler plate assembly to a machine; 
 the connector assembly including a pair of parallel linear members secured horizontally to the perimeter walls of the coupler plate member with each end of each linear member extending beyond the coupler plate member, adjacent ends of the pair of linear members attached to one of a pair of bracket units, each bracket unit adapted for attachment to an individual hydraulically powered arm of a machine. 
 
     
     
       2. The receiver plate-coupler plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver plate member includes a fourth perimeter wall extending in the common direction therefrom with at least one aperture therein. 
     
     
       3. The receiver plate-coupler plate assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one locking assembly is secured to the coupler plate member. 
     
     
       4. The receiver plate-coupler plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the locking assembly includes a pair of rigid, linear members each reversibly insertable into one of the pair of opposed apertures in the perimeter walls of the receiver plate member, and a retainer pin securing each rigid, linear member within one of the opposed apertures in the perimeter wall of the receiver plate member. 
     
     
       5. The receiver plate-coupler plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly of the coupler plate member includes at least one square tube with at least one aperture therein, the at least one square tube of the connector assembly adapted for receiving a connector mechanism from a machine. 
     
     
       6. A receiver plate-coupler plate assembly adapted for attaching an implement to a machine comprising:
 a receiver plate member comprising a vertical plate section with four perimeter walls extending in a common direction to form a downward facing cavity there between, the perimeter walls including a pair of opposed apertures therein, the vertical plate section adapted for attachment to a tool on a plate section surface opposite the perimeter walls; 
 a coupler plate member comprising a vertical plate section positioned against the receiver plate member within the downwardly facing cavity thereof, the vertical plate section having at least three perimeter walls extending in a common direction opposite the receiver plate member; 
 at least one locking assembly on the coupler plate member reversibly engaging the receiver plate member to maintain the coupler plate member within the downward facing cavity thereof; and 
 a connector assembly secured to the at least three perimeter walls of the coupler plate member opposite the receiver plate member, the connector assembly adapted for connecting the receiver plate-coupler plate assembly to a machine; 
 the connector assembly including a pair of parallel linear members secured horizontally to the perimeter walls of the coupler plate member with each end of each linear member extending beyond the coupler plate member, adjacent ends of the pair of linear members attached to one of a pair of bracket units, each bracket unit adapted for attachment to an individual hydraulically powered arm of a machine. 
 
     
     
       7. The receiver plate-coupler plate assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the locking assembly includes a pair of rigid, linear members each reversibly insertable into one of the pair of opposed apertures in the perimeter walls of the receiver plate member, and a retainer pin securing each rigid, linear member within one of the opposed apertures in the perimeter wall of the receiver plate member. 
     
     
       8. The receiver plate-coupler plate assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the connector assembly of the coupler plate member includes at least one square tube with at least one aperture therein, the at least one square tube of the connector assembly adapted for receiving a connector mechanism from a machine. 
     
     
       9. The receiver plate-coupler plate assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the connector assembly of the coupler plate member includes a connector plate member secured to the perimeter walls of the coupler plate member with a pair of opposed pegs, each peg extending horizontally beyond opposite ends of the connector plate member and a fastener bracket secured to the connector plate member and extending above the vertical plate of the coupler plate member, the pair of pegs and fastener bracket adapted for attachment to a 3-point hitch of a machine. 
     
     
       10. A receiver plate-coupler plate assembly adapted for attaching an implement to a machine comprising:
 a receiver plate member comprising a vertical plate section with four perimeter walls extending in a common direction to form a downward facing cavity there between, the vertical plate section adapted for attachment to a tool on a plate section surface opposite the perimeter walls; 
 a coupler plate member comprising a vertical plate section positioned against the receiver plate member within the downwardly facing cavity thereof, the vertical plate section having at least three perimeter walls extending in a common direction opposite the receiver plate member; 
 at least one locking assembly on the coupler plate member reversibly engaging the receiver plate member to maintain the coupler plate member within the downward facing cavity thereof, the receiver plate member including at least one aperture in a perimeter wall and the locking assembly including at least one rigid, linear member reversibly insertable into the at least one aperture in the perimeter wall of the receiver plate member; and 
 a connector assembly secured to the at least three perimeter walls of the coupler plate member opposite the receiver plate member, the connector assembly adapted for connecting the receiver plate-coupler plate assembly to a machine; 
 the connector assembly including a pair of parallel linear members secured horizontally to the perimeter walls of the coupler plate member with each end of each linear member extending beyond the coupler plate member, adjacent ends of the pair of linear members attached to one of a pair of bracket units, each bracket unit adapted for attachment to an individual hydraulically powered arm of a machine.